Prenatal Preparation

Routine visits with a health care provider throughout pregnancy, including the first trimester, are important for the health of a pregnant woman and her soon-to-be newborn infant.

Prenatal classes are offered by a number of local health organizations, and can help pregnant women learn about what to expect in the weeks before and after giving birth. For more information, or to register for in-person or online prenatal classes, visit the health unit’s Prenatal Classes webpage.

Prenatal Class Attendance

According to the Better Outcomes Registry & Network (BORN), in 2016 22.9% (21.8%, 24.2%) of new mothers in Simcoe Muskoka attended a prenatal class during their last pregnancy. This rate is similar to the proportion of new mothers who attended a prenatal class across Ontario (23.2% (23.0%, 23.4%)). New mothers aged 25-34 years old are significantly more likely to report having attended a prenatal class (25.2%) than younger (19.8%) or older (17.3%) mothers.

By Parity

Nearly half (44.0% (41.8%, 46.1%)) of first-time mothers reported attending a prenatal class during their pregnancy. This is significantly higher than attendance observed in new mothers who had given birth previously, where only 6.6% (5.6%, 7.6%)) reported attending a prenatal class during their most recent pregnancy.

Attendance at Health Unit Prenatal Classes

In 2016, 636 pregnant individuals and 634 support persons attended prenatal classes delivered by the health unit. A significant proportion (74%) attended health unit prenatal classes in their neighbourhood, 23% attended classes in a neighbouring community, and 3% of attendees did not reside in the health unit.

First Trimester Visits

In 2016, 91.4% (90.5%, 92.1%) of new mothers in Simcoe Muskoka had a first trimester visit with a health care provider during their last pregnancy, similar to the rate for Ontario overall, with 91.3% (91.2%, 91.5%) of new mothers reporting a first trimester visit. The rate of first trimester visits among Simcoe Muskoka new mothers declined from 2013 (94.4%) to 2016 (91.4%), while the rate has significantly increased for the province as a whole from 89.0% in 2013, to 91.3% in 2016.

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Primary Care Provider During Pregnancy

A pregnant woman may receive care from multiple health care providers during her pregnancy. For women from Simcoe Muskoka who gave birth during 2016, the most commonly consulted health care providers during pregnancy were obstetricians, with 63.0% (61.7%, 64.3%) of pregnant women in Simcoe Muskoka receiving care from obstetricians. This was followed by 52.9% (51.5%, 54.2%) of pregnant women receiving care from a family physician, and 22.4% (21.3%, 23.6%) receiving care from a midwife. Younger pregnant women (aged 15 – 24) are the most likely to visit a family physician (58.3% (54.6%, 61.8%)), compared to older women, who are the most likely to visit obstetricians: 62.0% (60.3%, 63.6%) of women aged 25 – 34 years, and 68.4% (65.2%, 71.4%) of women aged 35-49.